Advanced Troubleshooting: UPnP, Port Forwarding, and NAT Types

Advanced Troubleshooting: UPnP, Port Forwarding, and NAT Types

This portion of the Network Troubleshooting Guide is for players that are encountering connectivity issues while playing Destiny and that have worked through the other basic troubleshooting steps included in the rest of the guide. The below troubleshooting suggestions are more advanced and can help resolve more complicated connection issues.

Table of Contents

UPnP Settings

UPnP is a network technology that allows devices on a player's network to configure the settings on the router or modem to automatically allow the connections they need. UPnP is the simplest way to make sure a player can connect to Destiny.

When possible, Bungie recommends players use the UPnP setting.

Players should only use Port Forwarding when they cannot use UPnP and are having issues playing Destiny.

It is not recommended to enable both UPnP and Port Forwarding at the same time.

UPnP is REQUIRED if players plan to use more than one console to play Destiny on the same network simultaneously.

Setting up UPnP

WARNING: Changing the wrong settings on a router can lead to losing access to the internet. Be careful when modifying a router's configuration. Consult the device's manual or documentation before beginning this process.

Log in to the router’s Administration Control Panel

This is usually done through a web browser by navigating to the router’s internal IP address (e.g. http://192.168.1.1)

Consult the router/modem’s user manual for help accessing the control panel

Find the “UPnP” setting, usually located under the “LAN” or “Firewall” category

Consult the router/modem’s user manual for help locating the UPnP setting

Choosing a NAT Type

Sony and Microsoft use slightly different terminology with slightly different meanings. Please see the below tables for an explanation of the different NAT Types for each platform.

Sony/PlayStation NAT Types

Type 1

The console is connected directly to the internet without a router or combination modem+router. All network connections are allowed between the console and other players.

Type 2

The console is connected to a router that is configured to allow the required network connections to play most games. Players may still need to set up UPnP or Port Forwarding if they experience problems finding other players.

Type 3

The console is connected to a router that is blocking the connection to other players and services. Players will need to configure UPnP or Port Forwarding before they can play Destiny.

Microsoft/Xbox NAT Types

Open

All network connections are allowed between the console and other players. Players will be able to play and chat with any other player.

Moderate

Most network connections are allowed between the console and other players, but some connections may be blocked. Players can play and chat with players that have OPEN or MODERATE type NAT, but cannot connect to players with a STRICT NAT.

Strict

Only the bare minimum network connections are allowed between the console and other players. Many connections will be blocked. Players can only play with players that have an OPEN type NAT.

Port Forwarding

Port Forwarding is the process of manually defining rules to allow connections through a player's router. Players that do not use UPnP will likely need to use Port Forwarding to allow all of the connections Destiny needs.

WARNING: This is a technical process that can be slightly different for each type of router/modem. Changing the wrong settings on the router can lead to losing access to the internet or even losing access to the router’s control panel! Be very careful when changing the router’s configuration!

Opening versus Forwarding a Port

Opening a port means making sure that inbound and outbound traffic is being allowed.

Opening ports may help solve some issues with a player's network connection.

If the router is blocking or slowing traffic on these ports, they will need to be unblocked.

Forwarding a port means setting up rules for inbound traffic on certain ports to be directed to the console.

Ports that Destiny uses for inbound traffic may need to be port-forwarded.

Forwarding only affects inbound traffic so all ports listed below are inbound ports.

Any ports that a player may want to forward must also be open – there’s not much gain in trying to forward traffic that is being blocked.

Opening Ports

If the router/modem’s firewall settings are set to ALLOW traffic by default, opening ports is as simple as making sure there are no firewall rules that specifically block traffic on the required port(s).

If the router/modem’s firewall settings are set to DENY traffic by default, in order to open a port you will need to create a new firewall rule that specifically allows traffic on the required port(s).

Setting up Port Forwarding

Each router/modem is different. Players should consult their router/modem’s user manual for detailed instructions on how to set up port forwarding.

It is recommended that players also assign a Static IP address to their console to make port forwarding easier.

Players that plan to use more than one console to play Destiny on the same network simultaneously will encounter connection issues when using Port Forwarding. Players are required to use UPnP to play Destiny on more than one console on the same network simultaneously.

Network Troubleshooting Guide Directory

This is a sub-page of the Network Troubleshooting Guide which is designed to help players through the recommended steps for troubleshooting network connectivity issues that may be impacting their ability to play Destiny. Please click the appropriate button below to return to the start of the guide or to read through the other pages.